I will definitely change the order in which I do things. I usually do the easiest task first simply out of fear of failing the more difficult task. I now know that task should be prioritized by urgency. This is how I plan to proceed.
Thanks for this great contribution Walt! I particularly like your MAPS method and strongly agree with the measurable piece. Far too often, we define our goals too loosely. When we do, it's hard to identify whether or not we've been successful.
Excellent! So glad this lesson was helpful David. Also glad to hear it reaffirmed some healthy and productive things that you've been doing already.
We need to remind ourselves about goal setting strategies. Goals need to be measurable, attainable, positive and self-chosen (MAPS). I teach this strategy to my Career Success students and tell them that if they set their sights too high on a goal and fail to achieve it, their self-esteem levels decrease while their stress levels increase. We, as faculty need to practice what we preach. Doing so will reduce our own stress levels.
If you feel confident about your class management strategies, you will feel less stress personally and this will be communicated to the students in a non-verbal way. If you are like me, you are constantly thinking about new and creative ways to enhance your classromm management strategies both in and outside the classroom. Grading rubrics are another facet of excellent classroom management strategies. Essentially, they are a road map to guide faculty and students through the grading criteria for the classes. Using them has merit with respect to stress reduction.
It does feel really nice to knock things out of your queue instead of saving them for later Lloyd. I'm glad you've tried a few different approaches. That's the best way to figure out what works best for you!
One of the biggest challenges associated with time management is email. It seems everything is the top priority. This never-ending stream of requirements, staff meetings, papers for grading, staff training, and administrative requirements are all due today.
The one thing the lesson points out is figure out what is within your control. Based on the introspection associated with the lesson, I'll probably categorize these tasks according to what I can resonably accomplish and what must be accomplished. I'll tackle the rest after these critical tasks are completed.
Greg
A good percentage of the time I would attempt to at least begin them. If it is urgent then that would take first priority and filter through the rest. Based on my new outlook to task prioritization, I have been accomplishing more tasks soon then later and enjoying the relief of stress to if I had failed to do something and or if I done it to its full intention; and now this module is reconfirming my practices of late. Not that I was a big procrastinator, I sometimes feel that I wanted to ease into things and spread them out, and more times than I would like I seem to find myself in a slight bind to get things done.
I have been using t-do lists for a long time. i appreciate the advice of priotization. i found this lesson very useful.
Hi
Class management are important in the teaching, teacher need to have a to-do list to be able to manage and accomplish the curriculum each class are manage differently depended on the size and attitude of the student some class are easy student are angry of learning and some class are difficult to accomplished on time the curriculum so to-do list technique help the teacher to manage the class.
Eric Andre
Presently, I choose to accomplish tasks right away due to the fast paced environment that I teach in. If I do not jump on tasks right away, they may get pushed aside and forgotton unless I establish a "to do" list.
I always make an effort to get the most important tasks done first and then complete tasks of lesser importance when I have time. The temptation is that sometimes the secondary tasks are easier/quicker to complete and I might try to get them out of the way before I get to the more important/more time consuming tasks.
This is all true Warren. I like the idea of setting reasonable expectations with ourselves about what we can and cannot accomplish in any given period of time. Really helps us to feel better about the work we are getting done.
I find that breaking a big task into smaller segments gives one a sense of accomplishment as well as chips away at getting the project done. You must also come to terms with the idea that you are just NOT going to get everything done that you wish, at that moment. Perhaps later it will happen.
I'm an adjunct instructor as well as a full-time massage therapist. I think it's pretty easy for me to prioritize and accomplish tasks when I have a whole day to do so. What I mean is, when I have a day that I'm not working (which is rare as a massage therapist), it feels fairly easy to accomplish errands, lesson plans and other things. It becomes harder for me when I have to accomplish these things after work, or interspersed between outcalls or classes. Any suggestions?
Great work Mary! Glad to hear about your ability to reorganize priorities. It's important to evaluate our lists every now and then and to determine what's still most relevant.
Excellent! If you've got a system that's already working for you, go with it John!
No, probably not. I think I have a pretty balanced system with a nice steady pace that allows time for tasks as well as some free time to clear you head & reprioritize. J.P.
I constantly reorganize my priorities to handle those that take precedence on a daily basis.In reviewing the module I feel that I'm on the right track as far as prioritization goes.
Excellent Ernida! Yes, avoiding procrastination and focusing on prioritization are key.
